Do you know the moment I start blogging I start thinking about typo’s!! Yup, but I can’t help it and I do proofread I just miss them every time. And seriously, someone could proof them for me, but then it’d be another day before I could post. Then I would have to plan my post and schedule someone to do it and well, that’s just not much fun for me. So here we go…
Did I even tell you I went to China last week? It was my first trip with Amy, our Sourcer. It was so cool to watch someone who actually knows how to talk the lingo. Many of you may not know but when I start sourcing, I had no clue what I was doing. None. Zilch. Lynette and I just went for it and knew we either had to make it happen or close up shop. We’ve learned so much along the way but to hear the experienced Amy talk is quite mesmerizing. Ahh..the things I never knew, I know now. Plus it was great to actually get to hang out with Amy one on one. She has a way of asking questions that make you think. You know not the “Are you sure” kinda question but more the “let me switch this around and ask you…” Not a mind game, but the perfect type of question to open your eyes to things you may not have seen before. I love that about her.
So we got some great stuff going on at Matilda Jane. I think at this moment I am most excited about Photo Love and watching you all come together for Chelsa (you can read her blog here) over the weekend. I had a blog written but I’ll have to put it up later..Yup, gotta proof it! ha. I’m pretty excited cuz we are having a fun promo coming up, a new website that is being planned out super soon, a Spring Line that I adore. And just lots of good stuff. And what about all Sam’s new photos? Oh, that makes me happy!
Of course I reminisce all too often about the beginning of Matilda Jane. Seriously, I had no plan to ever be a pretty decent size company. None. And what makes it the greatest is that we are able to do so many things. Helping others, building friendships and just the love is the best part of Matilda Jane. Every day I think of ways or things I might be missing the beat on. Yes, I do. I think about it everyday. I think about the things that were so easy to do when we were small and how can we still do them. I never want to loose that small stuff. never. And seriously, leave me a comment f you can think of some favorite thing that we do or did. I want to know.
One thing I thought of was photographers. I used to get an email box full of photos form your latest shoot. I loved them. And every time I scroll through my daily blogs and see them, I miss them. I loved using them on my blogs and website and just looking at all the great ideas you all have. So I had David set me up an email ….. [email protected] Please send me your pics if you would like them to be used on our sites. I cannot use them if they have big watermarks with logo, I prefer your name in a simple color on the left side of photo or bottom, no larger than 14pt. Sorry to sound picky but when you are building lookbooks and stuff it is hard to work around. And I want to be able to show them off beautifully.
Alrighty, have a great night! ~ Denise (ha, and good question, can you tell us apart of we don’t sign our names? Or let me guess my typos tell it all.)
Denise,
I LOVE that there are occasional typos in your blog! Blogs aren’t about grammer!
Julia
What a joy it is to read your post. I am what they consider a “newbie,” only experiencing the awesomeness of Matilda Jane for a couple of weeks now. I am amazed by your creativity and visions for clothing while still being so down to earth and funny. Please keep up the awesome time & effort you guys out into your company. What a joy to be part of such a great community.
I will not be proofing this comment, so let us hope my auto correct has been kind!!
Absolutely LOVE this apron:). It is so adorable.
Well, I for one enjoy the way you write- its from the heart and completely honest- typos and all!!! Its something that sets you apart from all the other clothing companies- because you all are so much more than that! Hold onto the simpleness that is Matilda Jane!
You care, share, rally, and spread the love to those who need it most.
Brittaney- Welcome aboard!! Thanks for the comment
my favorite thing you do is Sread the Love… yep you should trademark that phrase. To give a gift and show love to people who are in great need of it is… well priceless!
Well, here’s what I’m thinking…
1. How do I get one of those gorgeous aprons??? My little girlies would flip over those!!!
2. I really miss the “Wendy” style dresses. I would love to see another piece like that!
3. I love getting a little surprise in with my order. Whether it’s a pen, note pad or a sticker. Just every now and then. It makes me feel like my business is so appreciated. Unpredictable!
Thanks for all the big and little things you do!!!
I think my favorite thing…well 2 things…is first the daily contests that you had leading up to Hotline. It was so fun getting on and trying to win and chatting with all the girls. I think the second is the Art Fair booth, like in MI. That was so much fun but I realize a lot of expense and work for ya’ll and travel so I TOTALLY get having it at Matilda Jane. I am wondering about something though- the clothes that people return that are “damaged”, either because of a stitching issue, super super picky people, I don’t know just things that didn’t quite work out right- what do ya’ll do with those clothes? I am needing things for some of my kiddos and I can repair clothing pretty easily and pass it on if it is just going in the trash. I don’t mind paying the shipping for them. It would just be nice for some of these kids to have nice clothes. It would do WONDERS for their self esteem in Middle School. Anyway just wondering… and we love our MJ. You and the company are great. ALways have been.
Denise, I would LOVE to see you going back to Art Fairs, especially the one here in Minneapolis!! Then again, I am not sure how you would keep the swarms of mamas away and keep it small…
Oh Denise…I can remember it like it was yesterday…Plymouth art fair…walked by your booth for the very first time…spotted those adorable hats with the big flowers on the front. I am not even kidding that it took me FOREVER to decide which one to buy for my sweetie. They were all sooo stinkin cute! I finally decided on the hat…but I really wanted it to have a red flower because that was my dd’s favorite color. I can’t remember who it was, but this sweet girl that was helping me changed that flower like 10 times until I found just the perfect one! I will never forget that….I love the small things…your booth was packed and busy and crazy and she took the time to help me with one of the smallest “things”. That’s the day I fell in love with MJ! xo
I love the buttons and mesh bags that each piece comes in. Please don’t ever stop doing that!
LOVE the pictures- they are adorable!
Love that you always put your customers first…and always aim to bring smiles to all!!
Love that you always put your customers first and Love to bring smiles to them all!
I love the little personal touches on my invoices and packing slips. It makes me smile when I think the person who packed my preciously little parcel took the time to leave a little note. I mean, who does that?!!
Holly V- I love this..and I am certain it was Chris!!
I miss our e-mails
We used to chat more.
.
The most touching thing you and Sam ever did for me was the STICKS bag! I still smile whenever I look at it and have Sams note in my desk drawer
I love that you guys try to stay in touch with and interact with the customers. The Art Fair is such a great idea, and I hope to make it some time (I almost did this past summer, but life got in the way). I also love that you guys facilitate interaction with the customers via the blog, FB, and Twitter. It’s awesome to hear about the goings on of MJC
Oh, and I think I can usually tell it’s you “talking”, Denise, . Not because of the typos, but because of the tone-caring, and passionate-since MJC is your baby
Ha- I forgot to write about my favorite parts of MJ.
1. Getting the gals together for a show- you know, the ones that you don’t feel weird around because they get ya?
2. Opening a brand new box of MJ- its like Christmas all over!
3. I LOVE when you guys do spread the love- and when my nominee is chosen – that is better than #1and 2!
4. Its nice to see a comment from one of you guys- because we take the time to post a pic that you helped make so special- its nice when you comment:) Makes my little heart skip!
5. I love knowing that I can call anytime and talk to someone I know and it just makes me want to work there even more….sigh
6. I think you should reward those Tk’s that go out on a limb- like my Lisa Doan- who is more than a TK, she’s my friend!:) (and she sometimes gets texts like at 11- because I forgot something!!! )
7- I love that Carrie signs all my ship notes and its like we have an on going conversation all the time!
Love it all- now- “what do you like best Denise?”
This summer was my first Art Fair and I think the sweetest thing……and I mean literally “Sweetest” little thing was getting back to my room after shopping to find the yummiest cupcakes waiting for me…… It was unexpected and just what I needed : )
I love the unpredictability (is that a word?)
I know it’s stressful at times…. wondering if you are going to “catch” a platinum piece or get a highly wanted sell out item, but it makes us all love the clothing so much more. If you could go to your local department store and buy it by the bundles it wouldn’t be as special. I love the fact that my one of a kind daughter can wear one of a kind clothing. That out of a closet full of clothing, she says “Momma I want to wear those soft ruffle pants. I like those.” Of course, I also LOVE spread the love and that your company is always giving back.
I love the way you share a little of yourself in each mj item. As a Ball State graduate I especially love the Carter hot dog stand dress. The stories behind a piece are so much fun.
Speaking of typos I think you meant from not form lol…. “One thing I thought of was photographers. I used to get an email box full of photos form your latest shoot.”
Yup, I can tell if a blog was written by you, Sam or Kayla… you each have your own way of writing
.
I remember when your fall 2007 line came out and some of the ladies on a gymboree clothing board started posting fashion show pics. I fell in love but could not for the life of me decide if it was a good look for my girls. It makes me giggle now, but back then I wondered if the knot dress/ruffle pant look was too babyish for my 6 year old. So I didn’t order, the entire trunk show thing scared me off too, lol. Then you had a sale, just an album on your old blog… and I wanted that elaina and the velour ruffles so badly. But still, I was too chicken to call in for an order (by the way, I finally got that elaina from a good friend, woohoo… still need the velours, never found them in all my years). Anyways, I’m glad I was finally brave enough to order when Homegrown came out… never looked back and now my baby is 11 and still wearing ruffles (not more knot dresses though… but that’s okay). I miss how personal things were back then… but you can’t really get that back due to all the growth. You’re still one of the most personal clothing companies out there though!
I also love your typos!!
I have only known about Matilda Jane for a year now and have had, between home and virtual, about 5 parties! I love the Spread the Love program. When my nominee wine, it was like my daughter and I won too! We were jumping for joy and celebrating right
These are a few of my favorite things: “hummed to the tune of the popular sound of music tune”
1. Spread the Love- Theres no better feeling than being able to share a smile or love with someone, whether you know them personally or not.
2. Contest- I love getting to name the dress or guess this and that, it makes me feel like I am on the other side of buying mj and that my input is important
3. Platinum- because each piece gets in own personality just like each of our girls.
4. I absolutely love when you or your girls take the time to respond on facebook, blogs, emails, etc its so nice to know that as big as yall have grown yall still have time (personal time) for your customers.
Take Care, and Denise you are doing a FABULOUS job, Dont Worry!!
Kylie
It’s hard to choose one thing I love most about MJC because it’s easier just to say “everything.” I really love that more than being a company you are “people.” I haven’t met any of you in person, but I feel like I know you through your blog, facebook, and community outreach. I would imagine that it could be easy to get lost in the day-to-day of running a large company, but you’ve kept it about the people. You haven’t forgotten where you came from or the customers who have gotten you there and you show that time and time again through your community service and giving back. I will always support this company and your vision!
Just keep on doing what you’ve been doing, Denise; we *love* you so much -typos & all-
! Gosh, Holly V., I, too, remember the hats. My daughter’s very first MJ dress -purchased @ Holiday Mart in Indy- actually came with (if I remember correctly … it was 8 years or so ago :-0) one; loved the flower, but my fave part, actually, was the moss-green, grossgrain, polka-dot ribbon accent. Loved the dress, too -so comfy w/ the top half made of knit fabric with a stripe pattern, so cute w/ a sash …ahh!-, & when it was too short to be worn as a dress, my daughter wore it as a top. It was my first -& only- love at first sight 
))
There are so many things that I absolutely love!!! I adore how you value people and make it more than just about absolutely stunning clothing! I love the MJC community… as crazy as we all are
I love how the fabric is colorful… and most of all that it is comfy for my sweet girl to play in! And lastly I have to admit… I got a little giddy when I opened up my box this season from my trunk show to find a Matilda Jane Mug! (almost as giddy as when I opened up the MJC little suitcases a few years back) Keep up the great work!